Dear Editor,
I know that last week I should have been celebrating International Womens Day (March 8th), but I just did not feel that inspired at all. Sadly, the last few months have been quite brutal for women in The Bahamas. We still do not have Marital Rape Laws, equality in citizenship, equality in pay and opportunity or fair, proportional representation in our government.
I would have loved to have been thrilled about the day. I would have loved to celebrate with my daughter and reassure her that all would be well, that her life as a Bahamian woman would not be one exhausting battle after another. That she wouldnt have to fight too hard to be seen as equal to her male counterparts. That she would never have to explain why her no means NO, or why she should get paid the same as a man doing the same work she will do. But, sadly we are still not there.
While I should have been happy to see women smiling and posing with the break the bias stance, which was featured all over our local newspapers and on social media I wasnt. Im proud of the message break the bias held up by so many women (and some men). As women, we know the cost of that bias and inequality. It should have felt empowering, but it didnt. Against the backdrop of the many stories of violence perpetrated against women locally, the gap between where we are and where we need to be is more glaring than ever. It feels superficial when our most fundamental rights, protection and access to opportunity remain so unequal and, simply, just wrong.
I dont think I can blame this failure entirely on successive Governments. Members of government on both sides of the political divide have promised us and promised international bodies that they would make womens rights a priority. They have regaled us with stories of how much they respect women, how they value the contributions of women, and how they want a fair and safe world for their own daughtersand yet NOTHING. In fact, these last few weeks have seen our elected officials back-peddle so far in this regard that theyve now deemed the word rape TOO HARSH to assign to men who rape their wives. No matter how often they tell us that the rights of women are important, their actions tell us differently. We are still not where we need to be.
Even more distressing is how many women are also party to their continued oppression. The now-viral video of a woman speaking at a recent PLP mens meeting .. you know youre not sexy, youre not easily arousedthen stay single!. Her contribution made me angry but I was equally devastated for the countless women in this country who suffer silently in their homes, those women dealing with such horrific family situations, women who I am sure dont feel ready or sexy when enduring abuse at the hands of their spouses. I dont know the woman in the video but her comments were unbelievable. Unfortunately, as women, many of us dont feel we should have the same rights, opportunities and protection men do. At first, I wanted an apology, not just for myself but to all womenbut why single her out, after all, she is just one of the countless reasons why we are still in the same situation as we have been for decades.
This letter is not about garnering pity. I dont want anyone to feel sorry for womankind. Instead, I want to remind my fellow women, mothers, sisters, work colleagues, friends on all political sides, neighbours, and daughters that the battle is not over. Remember, one day will never give us equality. While we celebrate the wins of women everywhere, we must never become complacent because we are still not there.
Please, friends, consider your fellow woman. You know the one who wears too much make-up because shes been beaten and shes hiding a bruise. Or the girlfriend who agrees to go back to the violent boyfriend who promises he will be better. Or to our daughters who we have to remind to watch their drink so it does not get spiked, or to never walk home alone, and to put your keys in your hand, or carry mace to be safe.
If we are going to be equal, then we have to stand together, no matter what. And together say ENOUGH is ENOUGH. And when our laws change and we are treated as equals, in a country where there are more women than men then I think we, as Bahamian women, can truly celebrate along with our sisters (and brothers) around the world.
Sarah Kirkby
Continue reading here:
- Cruise bound for Bahamas rerouted to Boston because of storm - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally headed for Bahamas to stop in Portland due to storm - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Inside Lionel Richie's Star-Studded 'Dancing on the Sand' Weekend In the Bahamas - PEOPLE - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- 7 Top-Rated Bahamas All-Inclusive Resorts You Should Book - TheTravel - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- December Cruise To Bahamas Rerouted To Canada - Jalopnik - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines starts flying to the Bahamas from Seattle and Los Angeles - The Points Guy - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- You Can Now Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles to Nassau, The Bahamas - Caribbean Journal - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- THE BAHAMAS AND ALASKA AIRLINES CELEBRATE FIRST-EVER NONSTOP ROUTES CONNECTING WEST ... - Yahoo Finance - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally en route to Bahamas docks in Boston due to weather - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise Ship Originally En Route To Bahamas Docks In Boston Due To Weather - Patch - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines Launches First-Ever Routes to Guatemala and the Bahamas - Business Traveler USA - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Kickin' It With Q: Cowgirls in the Bahamas (E.5) - Oklahoma State Athletics - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas hotel resort review - The Week - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- A Black Girl's Guide To Celebrating Junkanoo In Bahamas - Refinery29 - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines Celebrate First-Ever Nonstop Routes - eTurboNews | eTN - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brennen Leigh & Bahamas : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast - NPR - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- World Series of Poker Paradise part of growing sports scene in Bahamas - Fox News - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- TCI young men performing well at Blazer Elite Sports Academy in The Bahamas - Turks and Caicos Sun - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean Closes In on New Resort in Freeport, Bahamas - Cruise Hive - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Bahamas: Spilligate'23 concert featuring Burna Boy postponed - St Vincent Times - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Snaresbrook Manor is a Luxury Oasis in Governor's Harbour Bahamas - stupidDOPE.com - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- KU falls to Bahamas in rematch, 87-81 - KUsports - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Lindsay Shiver's alleged Bahamas lover downplays plot to kill husband - New York Post - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- 5 Reasons To Visit This Lesser-Known Island In The Bahamas - Travel Off Path - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Ohio or the Bahamas? This kayaking paradise has crystal clear water - 614NOW - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Eric Gordon to reportedly represent Team Bahamas - Eurohoops - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Sebastian Walcott Is the Rangers'and the Bahamas'Future - D Magazine - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- These Are The 10 Best Things To Do On Grand Bahama Island - TheTravel - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- WHAT'S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN AUGUST 2023 - PR Newswire - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Deandre Ayton, Kai Jones to rep The Bahamas at Olympic qualifiers ... - Loop News Caribbean - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Reliving the Legend: Michael Jordan's Bahamas Pick-Up Trash-Talk ... - Landon Buford - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- For Mayor Adams, Any Day Has the Makings of Flag Day - The New York Times - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- MAKING HISTORY: 80-member team named for the CARIFTA Games - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Bahamas geography, maps, climate, environment and terrain from Bahamas ... - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas government structure and political parties. - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Is Bahamas a poor country? | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas Population and Demographics from Bahamas | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas interception of sea-borne Cuban migrants jumps in 2022 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Bahamas national football team - Wikipedia - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- LeBron James Sipped Champagne and Vodka All Night Alongside Katy Perry in Crazy Bahamas Party in 2010 - EssentiallySports - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hidden Worlds and The Islands of The Bahamas Bringing Awareness to Ocean Conservation - South Florida Caribbean News - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- 'Smoking a big spliff in the Bahamas': Nick's 10-year plan, and why his 'secret weapon' has him high on life - The Roar - December 23rd, 2022 [December 23rd, 2022]
- SBF's parents visited Bahamas prison where he's in custody - Business Insider - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- Alex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro share Instagram video of their stunning private vacation in the Northeastern Bahamas - Sportskeeda - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- @realGeorgeHotz More Than Just a Polycule in the Bahamas, That's for Sure! - Latest Tweet by Elon Musk - LatestLY - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Bahamas' Attorney General Defends Country's Regulatory Regime Amid FTX 'Debacle' - CoinDesk - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- Dayton regroups with two home games this week after 0-3 finish in Bahamas - Dayton Daily News - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- The Bahamas' Club Med Columbus Set To Reopen This Month - TravelPulse - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- UH, U of the Bahamas partner in island sustainability, disaster risk reduction | University of Hawaii System News - University of Hawaii - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Government agencies collaborating to restore East Grand Bahama - Magnetic Media - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Bahamas Welcomes Everyone This Winter - Vax-Before-Travel - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Call for Entries : Development of a Private Island in The Bahamas - ArchDaily - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- VALOR OF THE VANQUISHED: PM tours Lucayans exhibit - EyeWitness News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Henfield: Immigration's shanty town efforts should be sustained - Bahamas Tribune - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Rent-to-own housing initiative to provide 50 homes in pilot phase - Bahamas Tribune - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- 'Come out and support' the Fight for the Cure - Bahamas Tribune - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Turks and Caicos thanks for Bahamas police link - Bahamas Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Trinidad and Tobago beach soccer teams to play in Bahamas Cup - TT Newsday - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- 'Move the needle': IMF puts Bahamas growth back to 8% - Bahamas Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Why did 'Renovation Island' stars Bryan and Sarah Baeumler not sell their Bahamas resort? - MEAWW - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- IMMIGRATION TO SEND IN OFFICERS: The Farm reported to have quadrupled in size since Dorian - Bahamas Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- CBS PROstore goes hands-on with fall workshop - EyeWitness News - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Bahamas Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs) - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- WHAT'S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN OCTOBER 2022 - PR Newswire - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- These Twin Beachfront Bahamas Mansions Just Hit the Market for $30 Million Each - Robb Report - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Unraveling the Links Between the Bahamas' Junkanoo Festival and Folk Hero John Canoe | History - Smithsonian Magazine - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The Bahamas PM says the country is in a much better place than 12 months ago, reviewing one year in office - Magnetic Media - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Bahamas Police first to answer call for help, as TCI grapples with deadly gang turf war - Magnetic Media - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- MSC Cruises Seashore to Homeport at Port Canaveral for 2023 Winter Season, Will Sail to Bahamas, Western Caribbean - SpaceCoastDaily.com - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Regressive recession looming, forces UN to issue Cease and Desist message to big countries - Magnetic Media - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The best 8 places to visit in the Bahamas - Lonely Planet Travel News - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Take 5: What will 399000 buy in the Bahamas, Greece, France, Romania and Carlow? - The Irish Times - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND ANNOUNCES PARTY LIKE A ROYAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION AND THE CHAINSMOKERS PERFORMING ON NEW YEAR'S DAY - PR Newswire - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Statement to Update on the Sale of the Grand Lucayan - Magnetic Media - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Another Carnival Cruise Canceled Due to Hurricane Ian - Cruise Hive - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Coup's Notebook Vol. 26: The Toughest Job At Training Camp, Checking In On Nikola Jovi, The Next Developmental Project And Spoelstra In The Lab -... - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Glass Window Bridge envisioned as a symbol of resilience and sustainability says Works and Utilities Minister - Magnetic Media - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- BUT president: Ensure there are sufficient teachers in Family Islands - Bahamas Tribune - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Pitch In For Youth Baseball makes inaugural visit to The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]